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Show Mountain Streams May Be Laden With Disease During the past few years, in-creasing numbers of hunters, anglers, campers and backpackers have been stricken with waterborne disease because they drank water straight from streams, springs or lakes. One particular organism common in many waters is Giardia lamblia. This parasite Is found in many wild and domestic animals. Beavers figure signficantly in the transmission of Giardia. Their aquatic habits insure a steady supply of the parasites to the water. Since the organisms can survive in water for at least two months, the problems is not limited to particular times of the year or sections of streams. Drinking water containing a few of these parasites causes giardiasis, a severe gastrointestinal disorder which results in acute diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite. The best way to avoid giardiasis is simple don't drink the water! That means don't drink naturally occuring water no matter how pure it looks. Of course, carrying your own water is a good alternative unless you plan to be out for an extended length of time. Several methods are available for making wilderness water safe to drink. These are boiling, homemade disinfectants such as household chlorine bleach, and commercially prepared disinfectants such as halizone and iodine tablets. Boiling kills Giardia, bacteria and viruses. At higher attitudes, like those in Utah, water boils at lower temperatures, so it's best to boil water for at least 10 minutes before drinking it. Remember, although it may be inviting to dip a cup of water from a clear, fast flowing mountain stream, you may regret it later. |